Tunani Initiative
Responses
In your opinion, what outcomes would make the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance a success?
A global norms and standards on the extractive practices for critical minerals that underpin the AI industry. Shaping new norms for AI at the international level, just as we are developing norms against the over reliance of fossil fuels for energy production.
From your perspective, which of the following thematic areas identified by the General Assembly Resolution 79/325 for the AI Dialogue reflect your priorities for urgent action and active engagement?
- Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
- Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI
- Protection and promotion of human rights
- Open-source software, open data and open AI models
Please briefly explain your selection.
3
The deployment of AI in healthcare, defence and surveillance shows that safety and security of AI models must be sacrosanct. These are non-negotiables that need to be enshrined under international law. To prevent AI becoming an all-out arms race, it is necessary that actual open AI models are funded and supported, ensuring that the users have a stake in the models being developed for them.
In your opinion, are there any cross-cutting or emerging issues not captured by the listed themes above? If so, please explain.
3
The exploitative dimensions of the AI supply chain are underrepresented, which reflects a general lack of information about the informal and precarious working conditions in the context of mineral extraction for AI hardware, often carried out by workers in dangerous, unregulated conditions. The reality is that AI supply chains do not serve the interests of vulnerable workers. Instead, they are designed to meet the demands of capital, with little regard for social cohesion, economic fairness or environmental sustainability. The relentless pursuit of profit - without safeguards for the deployment of new technologies - has not only exacerbated existing social injustices but has also introduced new forms of exploitation and harm.
How are the governance gaps and related developments/advances in the thematic areas you selected above affecting your country, region, or sector? Please highlight the most significant challenges.
My region has seen an increasing inequitable relationship with the global north, where Africa is again seen as the site for resource extraction to build technology, with no structures in place to ensure equitable exchange of value.
What role can the AI Dialogue play in advancing international cooperation on AI governance?
Be the voice of ethical governance of AI.